Posted at the request of REEF.ORG
On the first day of this year, Joe Marino was diving just outside the Hillsboro Inlet, when he came upon and photographed this small invasive lionfish.
When REEF was notified, a seek-and-collect mission was mounted, without success. On that same day and within Ž¼ mile, another diver collected a juvenile lionfish. Unfortunately, it appears to be a different fish.
We've been worrying about the impact of the inevitable invasion, so anything we can do to stave it off is important.
In the Bahamas, a single lionfish was enjoyed as a novelty for months. Then a second was seen, and within a few more months, they were everywhere. Eradication attempts are in process but there's little hope of controlling them.
They are pretty, but bold. They are voracious, eating anything from tropicals to juvenile grouper and snapper. They have no local predators. They are incredibly prolific. They are sexually mature when they are only inches long. Unlike most fish which have a batch of eggs once or twice a year, lionfish reproduce regularly, spawning thousands of eggs. Once they are established, they seem impossible to contain, with serious impacts to the local habitat. Let's not let them get a foot-hold here like they have in the Bahamas.
What should you do when you see a Lionfish?
When REEF goes out, they are equipped with two clear vinyl collection nets with mesh bottoms, needle-proof gloves, and a transparent dry bag. (See the store section at Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) | Diving That Counts) These fish have incredibly painful venom that is introduced by their fin spines. Do not risk physical contact unless you are prepared for a visit to the local ER.
Smaller fish are difficult to spear and, if you miss, you teach them to hide from divers.
For now, please, please, establish the location and let the professionals and their volunteers capture them.
How to mark the location:
If diving on small/private boats:
Talk to the captain -- establish a signal. To mark a specific location on some boats, the diver pulls their flag line tight, then pulls the flag under 3 times. The boat takes a GPS mark and acknowledges it by revving the engine 3 times. The divers can then continue their dive without interruption (Thanks to R/V VON¼Ë).
You could also carry a marker buoy (like a Pelican Float) that you can deploy. You can come back after the dive, get marks, and recover the buoy.
If diving on larger/commercial boats:
Talk to the captain establish a signal. If conditions/currents allow, tie off the flag line and ascend or have a buddy go to the surface. Make contact with the boat and have them get a GPS mark. Re-descend and continue the dive.
Then, contact REEF at Lionfish Research Program | Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and file an ŽÅŽ¦xotic Species Sighting Form?
Thanks for helping protect our reefs,
DiveMasterRobert@Bellsouth.net
On the first day of this year, Joe Marino was diving just outside the Hillsboro Inlet, when he came upon and photographed this small invasive lionfish.
When REEF was notified, a seek-and-collect mission was mounted, without success. On that same day and within Ž¼ mile, another diver collected a juvenile lionfish. Unfortunately, it appears to be a different fish.
We've been worrying about the impact of the inevitable invasion, so anything we can do to stave it off is important.
In the Bahamas, a single lionfish was enjoyed as a novelty for months. Then a second was seen, and within a few more months, they were everywhere. Eradication attempts are in process but there's little hope of controlling them.
They are pretty, but bold. They are voracious, eating anything from tropicals to juvenile grouper and snapper. They have no local predators. They are incredibly prolific. They are sexually mature when they are only inches long. Unlike most fish which have a batch of eggs once or twice a year, lionfish reproduce regularly, spawning thousands of eggs. Once they are established, they seem impossible to contain, with serious impacts to the local habitat. Let's not let them get a foot-hold here like they have in the Bahamas.
What should you do when you see a Lionfish?
When REEF goes out, they are equipped with two clear vinyl collection nets with mesh bottoms, needle-proof gloves, and a transparent dry bag. (See the store section at Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) | Diving That Counts) These fish have incredibly painful venom that is introduced by their fin spines. Do not risk physical contact unless you are prepared for a visit to the local ER.
Smaller fish are difficult to spear and, if you miss, you teach them to hide from divers.
So, what should YOU do when you see one?
For now, please, please, establish the location and let the professionals and their volunteers capture them.
How to mark the location:
If diving on small/private boats:
Talk to the captain -- establish a signal. To mark a specific location on some boats, the diver pulls their flag line tight, then pulls the flag under 3 times. The boat takes a GPS mark and acknowledges it by revving the engine 3 times. The divers can then continue their dive without interruption (Thanks to R/V VON¼Ë).
You could also carry a marker buoy (like a Pelican Float) that you can deploy. You can come back after the dive, get marks, and recover the buoy.
If diving on larger/commercial boats:
Talk to the captain establish a signal. If conditions/currents allow, tie off the flag line and ascend or have a buddy go to the surface. Make contact with the boat and have them get a GPS mark. Re-descend and continue the dive.
Then, contact REEF at Lionfish Research Program | Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and file an ŽÅŽ¦xotic Species Sighting Form?
Thanks for helping protect our reefs,
DiveMasterRobert@Bellsouth.net
